Solon urges House to summon DOTr execs over questionable bidding of Bicol airport

Asenior opposition lawmaker yesterday called on two House committees to summon officials of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to explain why they allegedly ignored provisions of government procurement act in the conduct of public bidding for the construction of the P1.8-billion component of the proposed Bicol International Airport.

In a press conference, Rep. Anthony Bravo who represents COOPNATCO partylist, said members of the DOTr Bids and Awards Committee have a lot of explaining to do as the panel is set to award the contract to a contractor who should have been disqualified in the bidding.

With the BIA’s target completion already overdue, Bravo warned that the flagship project is in for more delays, with government overshooting estimated budget, as a result of the anomalous public bidding for the BIA Package 2B contract.

The House Committees on Good Government and on Transportation have been tasked to conduct a joint investigation into Bravo’s exposé.

In his privilege speech delivered Monday, Bravo, a Bicolano from Sorsogon, assailed the alleged impending awarding by the DOTr, principal proponent of the project, of the BIA Package 2B contract to a construction firm and its partner.

The agency estimate for the project was P1.8 billion but lowest bidder proposed a P2.2-billion bid.

“I received reports that the potential contractor which was postqualified by the Department of Transportation Bids and Awards Committee has a reputation of not completing the projects awarded to it, thereby wasting precious time and government resources,” declared Bravo.